There is a saying that if you ask 10 people to define project management, you will receive 11 different answers. You see, defining project management is not as straightforward as one would think. This is especially true when it comes to A/E project planning. It isn’t as simple as printing off a report once or twice...

Over the years we have seen that there are many different ways that successful A/E firms handle project planning. We have seen that not only does each firm plan differently, but also disciplines within a firm plan differently, and even project managers within a discipline plan differently. This presents numerous challenges when firms try to...

“Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” Alan Lakein, writer In our last blog post, “Delivering Projects and Supporting Projects Are Two Sides of the Same Coin,” we discussed the importance of getting everyone in the firm to use the same data. When this happens,...

When most people look at a coin, they only see the side that is facing them. They usually ignore the other side, unless maybe they are going to flip the coin to come up with an answer. And, in that case, they only look at the other side to ensure it’s different. Then, they flip...

Russ Ryan, principal at Rusk O’Brien Gido + Partners, interviewed our own JJ Brantingham, co-founder at Planifi for the “Executive Corner” in the June edition of Informed Infrastructure magazine. They discussed how effective architecture and engineering (A/E) firm leadership starts with the understanding that we’re in the business of delivering projects, and these projects are managed...

Let’s face it, nobody likes project meetings. In many cases, they just feel like a waste of time. This has been a problem in the industry since the beginning of time. Clark Nexsen, a fully integrated architecture and engineering firm with nearly 500 employees, 10 offices, and a global reputation for excellence in markets ranging from...

Does anything ever go according to plan? When we go to the grocery store, we never write cookies on the list. Yet, somehow, they always end up in the basket. In project planning, we don’t start with the change orders or delays, but, inevitably, stuff happens. It’s part of the A/E industry and the day-to-day...

With the launch of Planifi’s Project Visualizer upon us, it’s time to step back and understand how this will change the way AE firms run. In our world of fast innovation and ever-shifting deadlines, Project Visualizer provides an unprecedented level of visibility into core aspects of your AE business. Running an AE firm is complex,...